Ships sail on the Yangtze River in Wuhan, central China's Hubei. (Photo:Xinhua)

China will carry out more severe punishments to those who harm the environment along the Yangtze River Economic Belt, according to a document issued by Chinese authorities on Wednesday, which specified offenses and punishment standards.

The document was issued by five central departments, namely, the Supreme People’s Court, Supreme People’s Procuratorate, Ministry of Public Security, Ministry of Justice, and Ministry of Ecology and Environment.

According to the document, those who discharge or dump harmful waste, such as radiative, infectious, or toxic waste across provinces or into key water bodies that flow through the provinces will be severely punished.

Considering the difficulties of such investigations, including evidence collection and judicial authentication in air pollution cases, the document also specified that excessive emissions of chemicals such as sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides during a heavy pollution warning would be considered a severe environmental pollution.

The document also categorized cases applicable for prosecution, probation, or immunity from criminal penalties to guide the punishment of environmental crimes.

The Yangtze River Economic Belt strings up eleven provinces and provincial-level municipalities from west to east.